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On March 3rd, 12-1 PM MT, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits, claims, and peer-to-peer support services. Type your questions in now!

You can ask questions to the following people:
» Justin Monk - Director of Policy, Student Veterans of America
» Kate Hatten - Executive Director, Home Front Military Network
» Rebecca Smith - Coach, Public Contact Team, Denver VA Regional Office
» PO3 Tiffany Morgan - Director of Training and Peer Mentor, WarriorNOW
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» SPC Dwight Amey - Legal Administrative Specialist, VA


Student Veterans of America:
Student Veterans of America is a Chapter-based organization with about 1,500 locations on college campuses nationwide. We represent about 750,000 student veterans and work on personal and professional development, leadership training, and advocacy at the federal level.

Home Front Military Network:
HFMN is a collaborative, working with nearly 50 service providers; we connect military service members, veterans and their families to essential resources, including financial assistance provided by HFMN and our partners, in order to meet the full range of needs of individual and families. Our programs include Navigation (Case Management); Financial Bridge Support; Information & Assistance; and Education & Outreach.

WarriorNOW:
WarriorNOW has designed and implemented a program that brings Structure, Camaraderie, and Purpose back into Veterans and their families lives, and we do this through peer-to-peer mentoring, recreational therapy, PTSD groups, pro-social events, and education on topics pertaining to mental health, addiction, and building healthy relationships. WarriorNOW has flipped the conventional treatment model 180 degrees to start with building protective factors and coping skills first through peer work, and then when the Veteran is ready, we start the individual clinical work.
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Responses: 45
Cpl Don Hockhalter
I have a standing appointment once a month at the VA in Cheyenne. L live in Red Feather Lakes Colorado. I file for round trip online BTSS . The amount I get reimbursed is always different. Same miles every time???
Andi Martinez
Andi Martinez
4 y
VA travel pay may vary depending on mileage, location, type of health care travel, etc. Details here https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay/
Cpl Dwayne Arellano
Why is it so difficult to get the VA to reverse a wrong decision? I was 100% P&T, and got that taken away by the person reviewing my case. They rated me wrong on radiating pain going down my leg from sciatica. They lowered that rating although according to the VA rating system I wasn't supposed to be lowered at all. It in fact took away my 100% P&T. I had to file for IU to get my 100% back. Lost all my benefits from being 100% P&T. I am now having to appeal to the board to get back my 100% P&T which has already been a year wait, and still waiting to hear when the board will review my case. Why isn't there a double check in the system to make sure veterans are indeed getting the correct rating for their disabilities?
PO1 Kevin Eherenman
PO1 Kevin Eherenman
4 y
I am sorry to hear you lost your 100% P&T. Board of Veterans Appeals can take a few years to resolve and can be very frustrating. If you would like to come to the Denver VA Regional Office, our Public Contact Team would be happy to speak with you regarding this issue. There may be other issues you can claim and hopefully restore your 100% rating.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/denver/
Cpl Dwayne Arellano
Cpl Dwayne Arellano
4 y
Is it possible to get a phone appointment with the Public Contact Team? Reason I ask is I am wheel chair bound so hard for me to get out. I try to minimize how much I have to leave my home. If it is not possible for phone interview I understand. When you say Denver VA Regional Office isn't that the one in Lakewood? If I'm not mistaken won't that be the place I have my video hearing with the board when my case comes up? Thank you.
SP6 Bruce Kellar
apparently once a veteran turns 70 the VA assumes their needs have stopped. No longer does the VA respond without being prompted more than once. The services once part of the system seem to be restricted. Is there a new system I am not aware of?
Andi Martinez
Andi Martinez
4 y
We need more information to assist you. Please send more details on type of care you are requesting so we can best respond with how to get those services. Use this secure portal to send more information https://ask.va.gov/
SP6 Bruce Kellar
SP6 Bruce Kellar
4 y
Seems like the new Rocky Mountain VA has reduced the staff considerably or the system has changed. Checkups were annual, followup from evaluations was prompt, my Dr. (Barnes is no longer there) and the new Dr. must be swamped. So, is there a policy change when you turn 70 because we have passed some threshold? The interns are attentive in most cases but maybe restricted? Just trying to figure what has changed. Not wanting to be a pain in the ass nor am I anxious to visit the Dr. which is no fun. Things that always happened in the past dont anymore. I am not disgruntled nor a complainer. Just trying to understand what seems a new process.
PO3 Jamie Tanner
I would like to ask why the VA has cut the “CareGiver Support Program” by 1/3. My husband “was” my caregiver as a 100% SC veteran and now I have a debilitating and progressive neuro-muscular autoimmune disease.

I am considered a “Legacy Member” of the program meaning I’ve been in the program the longest along with so many others. Suddenly the program changed and qualifications changed. The VA cut me when I need this program the most.

I am not a money hungry person. But I have been on this program for 5 years. My husband was being paid 1,600 a month to care for me full time while maintaining a full time job and caring for 3 children.

Now we can’t pay our mortgage.

Sue e plain yourself VA.
PO3 Jamie Tanner
PO3 Jamie Tanner
4 y
Due explain yourself VA*
Melissa Comeau
Melissa Comeau
4 y
PO3 Jamie Tanner I am so sorry to hear of another caregiver being dropped from this critical program. There are many trying to help in this situation. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/. Quality of Life Foundation https://woundedveteranfamilycare.org/ and the Independence Fund https://independencefund.org/ may be able to help with appeals.
Kate Hatten
Kate Hatten
4 y
Hi Jamie, depending on where you live, you may also want to look into Veteran-Directed Care programs run through community organizations. For the Denver region: https://drcog.org/programs/area-agency-aging/veteran-directed-care-program; The Independence Center covers 21 counties in southern and eastern Colorado: https://www.theindependencecenter.org/veterans/
PO3 Byron Sutton
I'm not sure who to direct my question to. I have asked for a representative to contact me. I spoke with Diane Ricci and she referred me to Brian Oney for an upcoming hearing on 4-25-22. I have left 4 messages with Mr. Oney to no avail. I also left some messages with Diane to help get me in contact with Mr. Oney. I am wondering if they are so busy, they don't have time to return a call. Maybe covid has them so backed up they need more employees, or the reorganizing that occurred last year left them shorthanded. Maybe I should have some patience. sorry, just feeling discounted or not relevant to them.
PO1 Kevin Eherenman
PO1 Kevin Eherenman
4 y
I am with the Denver VA Regional Office and we have you scheduled for a video hearing on April 25, 2022, 8:30AM. If you do not hear back from you appointed Power of Attorney, you can come down to the Denver VA Regional Office a 155 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, CO. Arrive 15 minutes early and we will make sure your hearing happens.
PO3 Byron Sutton
PO3 Byron Sutton
4 y
Thanks for responding Kevin. I hope to hear from Mr. Oney soon. I guess you guys are very busy. Thanks to Diane for contacting me this morning. Hopefully, you can get the caring staff you need to help fellow veterans. (Just frustrated and probably impatient)

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